Police in the Hunter have issued a drug warning after a teenage boy died, and two men fell seriously ill, after allegedly consuming a substance believed to be a synthetic form of cannabis.

Around 8pm yesterday (Saturday 30 January 2016), emergency services were called to Baird Close, Rutherford, after the body of a 17-year-old teenage boy was discovered in a reserve.

While the results of a post-mortem examination are not yet available, police have since been told the teen consumed a substance branded as ‘Chronic’ in the hours before his body was discovered.

A short time ago (Sunday 31 January 2016), police were made aware of two men, both aged 22, who fell ill in the suburb of Telarah after consuming ‘Chronic’ earlier today. Both men are being treated by healthcare professionals; their symptoms are not believed to be life-threatening.

This afternoon, officers from the Central Hunter Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a property in Tresure Street, Rutherford. During the warrant, police seized a quantity of ‘Chronic’.

Police are warning anyone who is considering experimenting with illicit or synthetic drugs, no matter how they are branded or presented, to not do it. It’s a gamble with your life that’s just not worth taking.

Investigations are ongoing.